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In this Update:
Condolence Resolution: Pfc. Krystofer L. Lopez
We remember Pfc. Krystofer L. Lopez of Biglerville, Pennsylvania — a young soldier who answered the call to serve his country with courage and dedication. His sacrifice is a reminder of the bravery and selflessness of those who wear the uniform and stand ready to defend our freedoms. We honor his life, his service, and the legacy he leaves behind in his community and our nation Missy Carey’s Capitol Shadowing Experience
It was wonderful to have Missy Carey shadow me and members of my team at the Capitol on Tuesday! Missy was eager to learn how a bill becomes a law in the Pennsylvania Senate, and it was great to walk her through the legislative process and give her a behind-the-scenes look at how government works. Thank you, Missy, for your interest and enthusiasm — we’re glad to have had you with us! Capitol Visit with PA American Legion – National Commander
It was an honor to meet with the PA American Legion and the National Commander, Dan Wiley to discuss the continued importance of supporting our nation’s veterans. Our veterans have given so much in service to our country — and they deserve nothing less than the highest level of care, respect, and support in return. From healthcare, preventing veteran suicide to community resources, we must remain committed to ensuring every veteran receives the care they’ve earned. Their service should never be forgotten. Their sacrifices should never be overlooked. Thank you to these dedicated leaders for their tireless work supporting and advocating for our veteran’s community. Visit with Big 33 Cheerleaders
It was an honor to meet with two talented cheerleaders from my district and their families. Thank you for taking the time to stop by and share your stories—wishing you both continued success! Gettysburg at a Crossroads: Will We Preserve Our Heritage as America Turns 250?
Gettysburg is one of the most powerful symbols in the American story. The fields where Union and Confederate soldiers fought in 1863 are not simply historic sites; they are sacred ground that reminds us of the terrible price paid to preserve the nation. When Abraham Lincoln stood here and spoke of a “new birth of freedom,” he placed Gettysburg permanently at the center of the American conscience. People travel from across the country — and across the globe — to experience that history. They come to walk the battlefield, stand in the cemetery where Lincoln spoke, and reflect on sacrifice, unity and national purpose. That heritage is the engine of our local economy, bringing well over a million visitors to Gettysburg each year and sustaining the restaurants, shops and small businesses that keep this town alive. In recent years, however, the public identity of downtown Gettysburg has taken a sharp left turn away from that historic focus. Pride festivals that close Lincoln Square, rainbow flags across storefronts and the growing prominence of activist messaging have become a defining visual feature of the town’s commercial district. For many residents and visitors alike, the shift has gone too far. Gettysburg’s extraordinary draw has always been its Civil War heritage. Millions visit because of what happened here in July of 1863. That identity is the foundation of our tourism economy and the reason this small borough carries such national significance. Yet visitors who arrive expecting to be immersed in that history are increasingly confronted with displays and events centered on radical leftist activism rather than the legacy that made Gettysburg famous in the first place. Year-round advocacy displays dominate the visual character of the town and overshadow the history that brings visitors here. That concern is shared by more business owners than most people realize. I have been approached by several of these business owners, who are dismayed by the pressure they feel to be a part of this radical agenda. Some have begun declining to participate in displays or events that do not align with the historic character they believe Gettysburg should project. That courageous decision should be respected and emulated. Local businesses — many of them family-owned and deeply tied to the heritage tourism economy — should never feel pressure, explicit or implicit, to participate in political or social messaging. Owners should be free to choose what symbols appear on their storefronts without fear of criticism or organized backlash. Gettysburg’s greatest strength is the history that belongs to all Americans. Our downtown should reflect that story first and foremost. American flags, historic interpretation and events that honor the courage and sacrifice of those who fought here reinforce the identity that has drawn visitors for generations. Recent upheavals in local leadership have created an opportunity to reassess the direction of the town’s public image. Rather than allowing Gettysburg to be defined by radical activism, we can choose to refocus on the timeless story that made this place matter in the first place. And the timing could not be better. In 2026, the United States celebrates the 250th anniversary of its founding. Communities across the country are preparing to mark that milestone by reflecting on the ideals that shaped the republic and the sacrifices made to preserve it. Few places are better positioned than Gettysburg to help lead that national reflection. As America approaches its 250th birthday, Gettysburg should stand as a beacon of the ideals that built this nation — not a stage for the political fashions of the moment. In the year the United States turns 250, few places carry a greater responsibility to preserve and present that story to the world. It is time to reject the activism forced upon our town. Let businesses fly the Stars and Stripes proudly. Let our streets and squares reflect the courage and sacrifice of those who fought here in 1863. And as America approaches its 250th anniversary, let Gettysburg once again remind the nation that its greatest strength is not the politics of the moment, but the enduring ideals that held the Union together. Mastriano Responds to the Treatment of Littlestown Bus Driver Dave Bonhoff
The treatment of Littlestown bus driver Dave Bonhoff should outrage every Pennsylvanian who believes in liberty, fairness and the constitutional freedoms that define our nation. Mr. Bonhoff is a retired police officer who continued serving his community by safely transporting children to school. Yet he was effectively forced out of his job because he wore a hat that read ‘Make America Great Again.’ Whether someone agrees with that message is completely irrelevant. In America, citizens do not lose their First Amendment rights simply because someone else claims to be offended. What happened here is not about ‘sensitivity’ or ‘respect.’ It is about the suffocating culture of political correctness that is spreading through our institutions — a culture that demands conformity, punishes dissent and attempts to silence anyone who refuses to bow to its ideology. Political correctness has become a tool of intimidation. It is used to shame, threaten and drive ordinary Americans out of their jobs and public life simply for expressing views that do not align with the approved narrative. That is not tolerance. That is coercion. Pennsylvania is the birthplace of American liberty. Our commonwealth gave the world the Declaration of Independence, and our soil was defended by patriots who endured unimaginable hardship to secure the freedoms we enjoy today. They did not fight a revolution so that Americans would one day be bullied into silence by political activists or punished for expressing patriotic beliefs. Driving a man out of his job because someone dislikes the message on his hat is not neutrality — it is ideological discrimination, plain and simple. Dave Bonhoff showed more courage in standing by his principles than many institutions have shown in defending the rights they claim to value. No American should ever be forced to choose between their livelihood and their constitutional freedoms. Political correctness is not harmless. It is corrosive to a free society. When speech is policed and citizens are punished for expressing lawful opinions, liberty itself is under attack. I stand firmly with Dave Bonhoff and with every Pennsylvanian who refuses to be bullied into silence. Free speech does not exist only for views that are popular or politically fashionable. It exists precisely to protect the right of Americans to speak their minds without fear of retaliation. Freedom of expression is not granted by bureaucrats, administrators or activists. It is a God-given right protected by the Constitution — and it must be defended without apology. Shepherding Pro-Veteran Measures Through Committee
The Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, which I chair, met Tuesday and approved three important measures aimed at helping Pennsylvania’s 650,000 veterans. We stood in support of those who served in uniform by protecting them from individuals or companies that charge to obtain veterans benefits, encouraging federal efforts to fund traumatic brain injury therapies and establishing a veterans business logo. Senate Bill 1209, sponsored by Sen. Tracy Pennycuick, would require individuals and organizations charging veterans for assisting with veterans benefits to register with the state Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA). Senate Resolution 245, which I sponsored, urges the U.S. Congress to pass the Veterans Traumatic Brain Injury Adaptive Care Opportunities Nationwide Act, which would establish a three-year pilot program dedicated to developing and evaluating new neurorehabilitation treatments specifically for veterans with chronic mild traumatic brain injury. House Bill 993, sponsored by Rep. John Inglis, would require the state DMVA to establish an official veterans business logo. All three measures now proceed to the full Senate for consideration. Throwback!
My sister and I with our childhood dog Rick — a loyal German Shepherd who was always ready for adventure. Whether it was running through the fields or bounding through fresh snow, Rick was right there with us every step of the way. He wasn’t just a great companion—he was a gentle soul too, especially with our cats. A true friend, and a big part of some great childhood memories. Legislation Expanding First Responder Training Passed by Senate
Legislation to help alleviate the shortage of emergency responder instructors across Pennsylvania was approved by the Senate. Senate Bill 782 would allow retired public school and state employees who previously worked part-time as certified EMS, fire or police instructors to return to that work without losing their pension benefits. Retirees would not earn additional benefits. The measure was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. Senate Acts to Protect Vehicle Choice in Pennsylvania
Legislation preserving Pennsylvanians’ ability to choose their preferred vehicle by prohibiting state mandates on specific vehicle purchases was approved by the Senate. Senate Bill 990 protects consumer choice, encourages innovation and helps prevent higher costs associated with uniform mandates. The bill supports a comprehensive approach to transportation that includes gas and diesel-powered vehicles, hybrids, electric vehicles and emerging technologies, allowing new advancements to develop and compete. The bill was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. Shooting Range Improvement Program Accepting Applications
Shooting ranges and related organizations open for public use have until May 8 to apply for state grants for development and renovation work that helps ensure community access to safe ranges. Related organizations include shooting clubs, recreational shooting organizations, archery clubs and education groups. Public use of facilities includes public range times, educational outreach/trainings or organized shooting competitions. Retail ranges are not eligible to apply for this program. Each Pennsylvania Game Commission region will receive at least one project. Learn about eligible projects and how to apply here. Recognizing the Need for Government Transparency
National Sunshine Week highlights the importance of “sunshine laws” designed to ensure government transparency, and the importance of citizen access to government information. The Office of Open Records maintains information about Pennsylvania’s Right-to-Know Law and Sunshine Act, including information about filing a request for records. You can find more tools for keeping government transparent here.
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